Andrey Rublev 'happy' to have his level back with 10th ATP 500 final in Doha

Andrey Rublev is one victory away from returning to the winners’ circle thanks to another posiitve week of work.

On Friday, the No. 5 seed came through a decisive tie-break for the second successive day in Doha to reach his 10th career ATP 500 final. Rublev edged out Felix Auger-Aliassime, winner of two titles already this season, with a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (5) effort at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open after withstanding 21 aces from the Canadian.

“He was serving well. I cannot do much,” Rublev told the World Feed. “This is one of the best servers on tour. So I just need to guess and when I will have moments, just go for it.”

A day earlier, the Russian needed eight match points to close out Alex de Minaur in a dramatic finish that saw him stave off a match point of his own after a 5-3 tie-break lead evaporated. Auger-Aliassime denied his opponent a match point on his serve to force the winner-take-all ‘breaker, but this time Rublev ensured an early mini break was not wasted.

The 27-year-old last triumphed at the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open, where he also defeated Auger-Aliassime to clinch his second 1000-level crown. Rublev began this season with a pair of losses, including to Joao Fonseca in the first round of the Australian Open, but has since turned matters around with eight victories in his last 10 contests.

“I’m happy that I’m back in terms of my level. I feel like I’m playing better and better, week by week,” he said. “So I’m improving. I will keep the main focus. Even if I don’t win this final, just to keep improving.”

For the trophy, Rublev awaits the winner of eighth seed Jack Draper and Czech Jiri Lehecka. He previously won this event when it was an ATP 250 five years ago and finished runner-up in 2018.